Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-10-06
Oaazsette.
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THURSDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 6.
A Clam Catches 8 Rat.

Officer George Baker, Of the Fourth pre-
cinct, went around yesterday morning al D
o'clock to try the doors on his route. IN the
basement of building at the corner Oh Ill
ton atreet and Broadway he heard noise
like burglar trying to break open d uoo'.
He drew his revolver and went DOM 10
capture or, if need be, to shoot the burglar.
When be reached the scene of the turmoil
ne saw something more surprising than
burglar. 1t was big gray rat, with side
whisker5 and particularly malignant ex'
preston Of countenance. The rat was rae
ing up and down the floor Of barber snop
in the basement, and at every Jump some
thing attached to the end of his long tall MT
the floor and made the noise which nao at
tracted the officer. Mr.. Baker looked closer
and saw that the object on the emu OF tne
tail of the agitated rat was big naro-sheil
clam. The officer ran and called folicelnsn
Lake. of the First precinct, and together
thew descended to slay the afflicted rat.
The animal made desperate dash through
a creyice under door. He was corpulent,
but be managed to squeeze through. Inc
clam, however, was too large 10 pass unoer
the door and the poor rat found himself not
only burdened with needless appendGge 20
his tail. but held prisoner. once, twice,
thrice he pulled, but the clam would LOT
come or let 20, and the rats tail was OF
too durable material 10 break. Inc TO-
dent reflected moment and then
rose to the emergency OF the cese.
He was 10 doubt proud CT bis tall, but
he determined to sacrifice it TO save bis lie.
He turned abous and bit CT the eDd OF the
appendage close 10 the clam shell and then
escaped The policemen who bad come
down to kill the rat were so impressed with
its sagacty and self-denial that they let it
go; but it would have beer go act OF mercy
to have killed it, for Close observers OF rats
declare that when one OF their number
loses his tail or any part thereof BE Is tor
ever ostracised by his fellows. The clam
still retained its grip on the fragment OF the
rats tail. 1t was taken in charge by Othcer
Baker. a1d is now on exhibition at Spen-
GERS, at the corner Of Broadway sDd Fulton
street. Officer Baker, who knows oil about
clans and rats, explained how he accident
to the animal happened. He salG: i heard
of similar calamity that once hefeil a rat
in an East side oyster house You see,
rat will walk over d pile OF clans N It's
search for food This particular clam that
made go much trouble for that rat that We
didn't kill yesterday morning, lay with liz
tongue out, like that OF dog on BOT sum-
mer afternoon. The rats tail came n con-
tact with the CLAIMS tongue, and instantly
the clam drew in its tongue and tie tail.
Then it closed its shell with firm and re-
lentless grip on the rats tail and tie trouble
began. It is hard to say which vas the
more surprised, the clam when the rat van
down into the basement, humping the mol
lusk az it went, or the rat. y rat is more
nervous than clam and more intelligent.
The clam didn't even know enough TO let
60, and clam that has morbid enough
taste 70 make a luncheon off the end OF
,ats tail Decent know much anyhow. IN.
7. Sun